Category Archives: Regulations and regulators

An Introduction to the State of Energy Storage in the U.S.

A look at energy storage options in connection with wind and solar power is not entirely reassuring.

Decrying ‘Utterly Inadequate’ Efforts to Tackle Climate Crisis, UN Chief Declares ‘Our War Against Nature Must Stop’

Climate change: “The point of no return is no longer over the horizon,” António Guterres warned ahead of COP 25. “It is in sight and hurtling toward us.”

Oil and Gas Industry Rebukes Fracking Ban Talk as UN Shows Just How Much Fossil Fuel Plans Are Screwing Climate Limits

American Petroleum Institute steps up lobbying efforts to thwart a fracking ban, notwithstanding the climate crisis.

Federal Prosecutors Initiate Criminal Probe of Six Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have initiated an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against at least six opiods companies.

BBVA Compass Branch Manager Retaliates Against Elderly Customer Via Trying to Have State Agency Deem Her Incompetent on Fabricated Grounds

A BBVA Compass vice president retaliates against a long-standing customer for seeking an Americans With Disabilities Act accommodation and documenting his incompetent, high-handed responses.

Repo Madness: Fed Plumbing Gone Awry

How the Fed’s fingerprints are all over the repo mess.

Sir Ivan Rogers Plays Cassandra Again, Warns of Likely 2020 Brexit Trade Negotiations Train Wreck

Another incisive Brexit reading by Sir Ivan.

Health Care Dysfunction Makes It to the Presidential Debate

A damning compendium of what ails the US health care industry.

Lack of Right to Repair Limits Ability of US Military to Maintain its Own Equipment

Support for right to repair from an unlikely quarter: US military. Military hardware is sometimes shipped back to the states for repair.

PG&E Failed California. Here’s How the State Could Turn Things Around.

How PG&E came to dominate California’s electricity market, plus discussion of options to fix the fiery mess it has created.

On TV, Political Ads Are Regulated – But Online, Anything Goes

We’ve had over two years of pearl-clutching about political ads in the Internet era. What if anything should be done?

Private Equity Under the Hot Lights Today at House Financial Services Committee Hearing, “America for Sale?”

Private equity gets some long overdue scrutiny.

Plastics Watch: Recycling, Raccoons, and Rubbish

Even a massive recycling campaign won’t make a dent in the plastics problem, as long as the industry ramps up production; some thoughts on raccoons, and rubbish.

FAA Pushes Back on Boeing Pressure to Recertify 737 Max by Year End; Agency Also Considering Major Revamp of Certification Process

Remarkably, the new FAA chief Steve Dickson is standing up to Boeing and planning widespread reforms at the agency.

Blockbuster WSJ Investigation: How Google Interferes With Its Search Algorithms and Changes Your Results

WSJ publishes results documenting how Google tweaks its search algorithms and adjusts your search results, to privilege large over small, and muddled middle perspectives.